Labour Court recommends six-month contracts for temporary Cork hospital staff

The Labour Court recommended six-month contracts for temporary staff at Cork University Hospital, while declining a union claim for automatic permanent posts after one year. The recommendation was dated 27 September 2011. The Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation sought permanency for temporary nurses and midwives, saying more than 200 vacancies existed and that temporary contracts affected staff stability. HSE South cited recruitment restrictions and health service budget constraints. The Court noted that staff who met the criteria for contracts of indefinite duration were being treated in line with the 2003 Act. It recommended that management continue to monitor staffing needs to ensure the service requirements were met.